🌽 Cornstarch Substitute (Best Alternatives & How to Use Them)
When you’re in the middle of a recipe and realize you’re out of cornstarch — don’t panic! Whether you’re thickening a sauce, baking a pie, or prepping for crispy fried chicken, there are plenty of easy swaps. This guide covers the best cornstarch substitutes based on what you’re making, so you can save your recipe with confidence.
🧾 In a Nutshell:
Here are the top 5 cornstarch substitutes you can use today:
- Arrowroot Powder (1:1 swap for glossy sauces and puddings)
- Tapioca Starch (2:1 swap for baking and chewy desserts)
- All-Purpose Flour (Use 2x more for soups and gravies)
- Potato Starch (1:1 for frying and high-heat recipes)
- Rice Flour (2:1 swap for light batters and crisp frying)
What is Cornstarch and Why is it Used?
Cornstarch is a silky white powder made from the starchy part of corn kernels (the endosperm). It’s a versatile kitchen staple used to:
- Thicken sauces, gravies, and soups
- Add a crispy coating for frying
- Lighten the texture of baked goods
Without a replacement, recipes can turn out watery, soggy, or dense. That’s why choosing the right substitute matters!
❓ Is cornstarch gluten-free?
✅ Yes! Pure cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to make sure it hasn’t been processed alongside gluten-containing products.
🛒 Best Cornstarch Substitutes by Use
1. Arrowroot Powder
- How to substitute: Use a 1:1 ratio for cornstarch.
- Best for: Sauces, gravies, puddings — perfect for glossy, clear sauces.
- Pro Tip: Freezer-friendly! Unlike cornstarch, arrowroot doesn’t break down after freezing and reheating.
2. Tapioca Starch
- How to substitute: Use 2 tablespoons of tapioca starch for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Best for: Fruit pies, desserts, chewy baked goods.
- Bonus: 100% gluten-free and creates a slightly sweet finish.
3. All-Purpose Flour
- How to substitute: Use 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Best for: Thickening soups, stews, and casseroles.
- Heads Up: Flour-thickened sauces look more opaque and less glossy than cornstarch.
4. Potato Starch
- How to substitute: 1:1 ratio with cornstarch.
- Best for: Crispy fried foods and hearty soups.
- Pro Tip: High heat stable—perfect for deep frying!
5. Rice Flour
- How to substitute: Use 2 tablespoons of rice flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Best for: Asian dishes, tempura batter, and light fry coatings.
🥘 Best Cornstarch Substitute for Frying
When you want ultra-crispy fried foods without cornstarch, these two shine:
- Potato Starch: Crisp, golden crunch that stands up to oil.
- Rice Flour: Light and airy fried textures.
⚡ Quick Chart:
Substitute |
Ratio |
Best For |
Potato Starch |
1:1 |
Deep-frying, crispy chicken |
Rice Flour |
2:1 |
Tempura, light batters |
Arrowroot can turn slimy at high frying temperatures, so skip it for deep-fried dishes.
🍲 Best Cornstarch Substitute for Thickening Sauces
Need to thicken a sauce, soup, or gravy? These substitutes work beautifully:
- Arrowroot Powder: Produces a glossy, clear sauce — ideal for gravies and stir-fries.
- All-Purpose Flour: Great for creamy, comforting stews.
🍰 Cornstarch Substitutes for Baking
In baking, texture is everything. Here’s how substitutes perform:
- Tapioca Starch: Gives chewiness and moisture — great for gluten-free cookies and cakes.
- Arrowroot Powder: Helps lighten cakes and muffins.
- All-Purpose Flour: Makes baked goods a bit heavier but still effective.
Experiment with small amounts to perfect the texture you want!
🧂 Quick Comparison: Arrowroot vs Tapioca vs Flour vs Potato Starch
Substitute |
Best For |
Ratio |
Pros |
Cons |
Arrowroot Powder |
Sauces, puddings |
1:1 |
Glossy, gluten-free |
Not great for frying |
Tapioca Starch |
Baking, desserts |
2:1 |
Chewy texture, gluten-free |
Can get gummy |
All-Purpose Flour |
Gravies, casseroles |
2:1 |
Readily available |
Cloudy finish |
Potato Starch |
Frying, soups |
1:1 |
High heat stable |
Slightly heavier |
🌾 Gluten-Free Cornstarch Alternatives
For those avoiding gluten, the best cornstarch alternatives include:
- Arrowroot Powder: A naturally gluten-free starch extracted from tropical plant roots, perfect for thickening sauces and baking.
- Tapioca Starch: Made from cassava root, tapioca starch is a neutral-flavored, gluten-free thickener ideal for desserts and chewy baked goods.
- Rice Flour: Finely ground from white or brown rice, rice flour is gluten-free and works well for light batters, frying, and delicate baking.
- Potato Starch: Extracted from crushed potatoes, potato starch is naturally gluten-free and creates a crisp texture in fried foods and a smooth thickness in soups.
✅ Always choose certified gluten-free brands if cross-contamination is a concern.
🛑 Substitutes to Avoid
Not all flours or starches are good cornstarch swaps:
- Almond Flour: Too grainy, won’t thicken sauces properly.
- Coconut Flour: Absorbs too much liquid and changes texture drastically.
Save those for specific baking recipes, not for thickening or frying!
📋 Free Printable Cornstarch Substitution Chart
Substitute |
Amount |
Best For |
Arrowroot Powder |
1:1 |
Sauces, puddings |
Tapioca Starch |
2:1 |
Baking, desserts |
All-Purpose Flour |
2:1 |
Gravies, casseroles |
Potato Starch |
1:1 |
Frying, soups |
Rice Flour |
2:1 |
Frying, light batters |
👉 [Click Here to Download Your Free Printable Chart!]
✏️ Simple Explanation of Ratios (1:1, 2:1, etc.)
- What the Ratios Mean:
- 1:1 = Use the same amount of substitute as the cornstarch called for.
(Example: If the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon cornstarch, use 1 tablespoon of the substitute.) - 2:1 = Use twice as much substitute compared to cornstarch.
(Example: If the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon cornstarch, use 2 tablespoons of the substitute.)
- 1:1 = Use the same amount of substitute as the cornstarch called for.
Tried this handy Cornstarch Substitute Guide? Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101
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Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Cornstarch Substitute
Running out of cornstarch doesn’t have to ruin your recipe. With so many simple swaps like arrowroot, tapioca, and potato starch, you can easily adjust based on what you’re cooking.
✅ Need a glossy sauce? Use arrowroot.
✅ Baking chewy cookies? Tapioca’s your best friend.
✅ Frying up a feast? Grab the potato starch.
Keep a few of these in your pantry, and you’ll never stress about missing an ingredient again!
